Italy has made history by becoming the first country in the world to legally recognise the horse as an athlete, a groundbreaking move for equine welfare and a potential blueprint for international reform.
The law officially came into effect on 6th June 2025, following its approval as part of Legislative Decree no. 36/2021 (amended by Decree 163/2022). This unique legal recognition places equine athletes on a new level of respect and protection within Italian sport, recognising their physical role and needs alongside their human counterparts.
The announcement coincided with the launch of a bilingual publication, The Horse Athlete: Protections and Prospects, presented at the Italian Senate in Rome (Palazzo Madama). The launch brought together legal experts, veterinary professionals, and international equestrian authorities to explore the implications of this recognition and call for broader dialogue on equine welfare in sport.
Dr Francisco Porras Lima of the FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale), who contributed to the publication, described the law as “a new legal framework that could inspire international action.” FISE (the Italian Equestrian Federation) celebrated the ruling as a “historic achievement” and a step towards greater welfare, transparency, and dignity for horses.
To qualify as an “athlete horse” under the new legislation, an equine must:
- Be registered in an official equine registry;
- Be declared not for human consumption;
- Be included in the FISE’s athlete horse register.
The legal change means horses are no longer defined solely as property within Italian sport, but as subjects worthy of specific protections and considerations, a philosophical shift welcomed by welfare organisations and ethical sport advocates.
Why does this matter?
For years, those people working in equine welfare and science have been calling for formal recognition of the horse’s role and needs in sport. This move by Italy is not just symbolic. It’s a legal change that could pave the way for stronger welfare protections, better training and competition practices, and a global rethink of how we involve horses in sport.
This recognition marks the beginning of what could be a new era in sport horse management. With Italy taking the lead, there is growing momentum for international equestrian communities to follow suit.
